Isabella Bank has announced the winners of its inaugural Holiday with Heart giving campaign, which aimed to support local nonprofits in Mid-Michigan. The initiative garnered significant community engagement, resulting in over 3,000 votes cast to allocate a total of $24,000 in donations to eight deserving organizations.
Grand Gift Awarded to Soup Kitchen
The Grand Gift of $10,000 was awarded to the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, an organization dedicated to providing free meals to individuals in need. Operating from its newly renovated location in Mount Pleasant, the soup kitchen serves a diverse clientele, including seniors, families, veterans, students, and those experiencing homelessness.
“We’re proud to support local organizations that make a difference for our neighbors,” said Neil McDonnell, president of Isabella Bank. “Holiday with Heart was about coming together to create a meaningful impact — and we’re excited to see how these funds will help our communities continue to grow and thrive.”
The $10,000 donation will enable the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen to offer free breakfast and lunch from Monday through Friday and will help the organization manage over 30,000 pounds of food each month. This food is shared with seven nonprofit partners across four counties to bolster their free food programs.
“This gift makes a huge impact in the fight against food insecurity in our community,” noted Sarah Adkins, executive director of the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen.
Additional Awards and Community Impact
Isabella Bank also recognized several other organizations through the Holiday with Heart campaign. The following additional awards were granted:
– Impact Leader: $5,000 to Child Advocacy of Gratiot County Baby Pantry
– Difference Makers: $2,500 each to Emmaus House of Saginaw and Angels of Action of Mecosta County
– Community Gifts: $1,000 each to Mid-Michigan Community Action, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Midland County Food Assistance Network, and Montcalm County Habitat for Humanity
For more information on the winners and their missions, Isabella Bank encourages the community to visit their Facebook page. The bank is looking forward to continuing the Holiday with Heart campaign in the years to come, further solidifying its commitment to giving back to the community during the holiday season.
